Neuroendocrine Cancer: Nodes, Nodules, Lesions (and false alarms!)

Neuroendocrine Cancer: Nodes, Nodules, Lesions (and false alarms!)

A fairly common disposition of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms is a primary with associated local/regional secondary's (e.g. lymph nodes), and often with liver metastases. Technically speaking, the liver is distant. However, many metastatic patients appear to have additional and odd appearances in even more distant places, including (but not limited to) the extremities and the head & neck. Certain things are known about the behaviour of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs) (a term for Neuroendocrine Tumours and Neuroendocrine Carcinoma) and specialists will be analysing many factors when working out the type of NEN and how it might behave. This is useful in cases of…
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Weight – the NET Effect

Weight – the NET Effect

Foreword After my first surgery in November 2010, I came out at the lightest weight I had been for many many years (10st 7lbs (147lbs)). 6-7 weeks later I went back to work and people privately commented that I shouldn't be at work, I looked too frail and ill. Perhaps it was because my suit no longer fitted me properly! That was an expensive year because I had to buy new suits, a requirement of my employment. Fast forward 4 years, I had to buy some more suits as my weight was going back on. Fast forward 14 years and…
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Don’t be underactive with your Thyroid surveillance

Don’t be underactive with your Thyroid surveillance

From other posts, you'll be aware of the thyroid lesion (approx. 17 x 19mm) which I've been tracking since 2013. The surveillance included routine thyroid blood tests, mainly TSH, T3 and 4. I was out of range in TSH (elevated) but the T4 was at the lower end of the normal range.  On 20 March 2018, following an Endocrine appointment, I was put on a trial dose of 50mcg of Levothyroxine to counter the downwards trend in results indicating hypothyroidism, possibly due to the lesion. Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone (thyroxine) replacement.  One month after taking these drugs, my thyroid…
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Neuroendocrine Cancer: Troublesome Thyroids (Updated 2026 Edition)

Neuroendocrine Cancer: Troublesome Thyroids (Updated 2026 Edition)

Thyroid information disclaimerThis content is for general education and reassurance only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Thyroid nodules, thyroid function tests, cytology categories (Bethesda/THY), and molecular tests (such as ThyroSeq, Afirma, or ThyroidPrint) all require interpretation by qualified clinicians who know your full medical history, imaging, pathology, and symptoms. Thyroid disease is common and highly individual. Most nodules are benign, and many thyroid abnormalities are incidental findings — especially in people who undergo frequent imaging. Decisions about biopsy, molecular testing, surgery, or surveillance should always be made with your endocrinologist, surgeon, or multidisciplinary…
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I now take food with my medicine!

I now take food with my medicine!

If you want to strike up a friendly conversion with a Brit, ask him or her about the weather - we're really famous for our weather conversations and they normally focus on rain or clouds!  However, despite the famous British 'reserve' and 'stiff upper lip', they also frequently talk about being 'under the weather', a phrase meaning slightly unwell or in low spirits.I find myself smiling at some of the conversations I hear in medical establishment waiting rooms, particularly the potentially long wait for blood tests.  Here, conversations bypass the weather and focus on being under the weather! I thought…
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